The name See Above came about because I’m tall. Really tall. I’m 6′ 5″ which means in any given crowd, I can see above everyone else. But it’s also a personal philosophy. I strive hard to be the best and I want to deliver a product that’s a cut above.

See Above is also a philosophy. The video game market is crowded, and getting your game to stand out and connect with an audience is not easy. I am to see above the noise and numbers. I bring a unique perspective to video game production having worked on games for every major platform. I’ve served as the gamer, the game developer, and the game publisher. My experience makes me incredibly good at problem-solving and troubleshooting. My rare insight into each role of game production means I can bring in games on time, under budget, and at an excellent level of quality. At the heart of it all, I believe games should be FUN! I truly believe that a fun work environment and high morale lead to games that are enjoyable to play. So when you come back from vacation to find that I plastic-wrapped your cubicle and filled it with packing peanuts, just remember, it’s all in the name of making quality games that are fun.

I also believe it’s important to balance the fun with work. One of the things that makes me great at my job, is my ability to look at the big picture, see the steps needed to achieve it, and prioritize the work as necessary. When a problem comes along, you must whip it. I know how to troubleshoot, delegate, work around–do whatever it takes to get us to the next level. I love getting each team in a room, working out the kinks, and quickly coming to a consensus so that we can all move in the same direction, toward the same goal. When you get so many creative minds in the room, the magic starts to happen. One of my favorite things about my job is that I am surrounded by creativity: programming, AI gameplay, UI art, marketing, and even budget! At the end of the day, there is nothing more satisfying than seeing the final product come to fruition and seeing everyone enjoy it.

I don’t just produce video games; I love coming home and playing video games with my wife. She loves to kick my ass at Tekken (I swear she just mashes the buttons; she can’t know more combos than me, can she?) but she can’t beat me at Super Mario. Man, Super Mario 64 has got to be the greatest game of all time. Intuitive and responsive controls, all ages storyline, and the roaming mushroom kingdom! Such great memories.

I’m often asked, “What’s the future of gaming?” If anyone tells you it’s mobile platforms, they’re wrong. Mobile platforms aren’t the future, they’re NOW. Who knows what the future holds? I have my ideas and I’d be happy to share them in person. If I had to make a recommendation though, I would suggest that companies spend more time in pre-production. It saves you time in the long run, and it gives you a better opportunity to create a quality game from the ground up.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know a little about me.